The #Gaza ceasefire is now in its 5th week, & the 2 sides were supposed to begin talks on the deal’s second phase, which calls for further hostage releases.

#Hamas has offered to expedite the release of hostages by freeing 6 people rather than the prescribed 3 on Saturday, hoping to build pressure on #Israel to stick to the #ceasefire agreement until the second phase. #Netanyahu has said he remains ready to return to #war in the Gaza Strip.

#geopolitics #MiddleEast #HumanitarianCrisis